Hours passed in the dim light of the library, pages turning as Vergil forced his way through the intricacies of magic. He started with a basic fire spell—one of the simplest elemental incantations. Focusing, he drew on his mana, shaping the energy as described in the text.
Nothing.
His fingers remained cold. The air stood still.
Vergil frowned, flipping back through the instructions. Flow mana through the conduit organ, visualize ignition, and release. He tried again, forcing the energy through his hand.
A faint flicker—barely a spark—before it died out.
His grip on the book tightened.
It wasn't that he lacked mana—he could feel it, a reservoir within him—but no matter how much he concentrated, it refused to manifest properly. The book explained the theory well enough, but magic wasn't just theory. Without knowing how to apply it, it was nothing more than empty words on a page.
He exhaled sharply, leaning back against the wooden chair. This wasn't working. He wasn't an idiot, but magic was different from wielding a blade. It demanded finesse, control—things he didn't yet have.
He tried once more. This time, a simple arcane light spell—something even children could master. Mana rushed to his fingertips, unstable and erratic. The spell formed for a moment before fizzling out like a dying ember.
Silence.
He closed the book with a dull thud, expression unreadable.
So that's how it is.
Vergil stared at his hands for a moment, then pushed himself up from the chair. His path in magic wouldn't be as easy as he'd hoped.
If books won't teach me, I'll find another way... and I think I know just the person.
He returned the book to its shelf and left the library, thoughts turning to Elvira—the retired mage, according to the system. I'll use Analysis on her status window tomorrow, he thought. For now, I should check on Eleanor.
The village streets were calm in the fading light, long shadows stretching across the cobbled paths. The air was cool, tinged with the scent of burning wood and freshly baked bread. Villagers went about their evening routines, but Vergil paid them no mind. His thoughts were elsewhere—on magic, Elvira, and what came next.
He soon reached the inn, its wooden sign creaking softly in the breeze. Pushing open the door, he stepped into a space filled with the scent of roasted meat and ale, undercut by the low hum of conversation. A few patrons lingered at their tables, but the atmosphere was quiet.
His eyes found Eleanor immediately.
She sat near the back, a half-eaten plate of food in front of her. Her piercing blue eyes flicked up as he approached—sharp, observant.
"You took your time," she said, tilting her head. "I was beginning to think you'd run off and left me here."
Vergil pulled out a chair across from her and sat without a word. He glanced at her plate—some bread, a bit of stew. Basic, but enough.
"You found the room?" he asked, voice flat.
Eleanor nodded. "Yeah. Nothing luxurious, but it'll do." She eyed him for a moment, then narrowed her gaze. "Where'd you go?"
"The guild," he replied simply. "Got paid."
Her eyes flicked to the small pouch of coins at his side. "And?"
"And then the library."
Eleanor raised a brow. "You? In a library?" A smirk tugged at her lips. "Didn't peg you for the reading type."
Vergil ignored the jab. "I was studying magic."
At that, her smirk faded slightly, replaced by curiosity. "And?"
"It didn't work."
She leaned forward, resting her chin on one hand. "So you can't use magic?"
"Not properly. I can strengthen my body, but…" He paused. "Theory's not enough. I need someone to teach me."
Her expression sharpened. "And do you have someone in mind?"
"Elvira."
A flicker of recognition—and uncertainty—crossed her face, but she masked it quickly.
"Who?"
"A person I know. I'll head there tomorrow."
Eleanor studied him a moment longer before shaking her head. "You really don't hesitate, do you?"
"I don't have time to waste," Vergil said, tone cold. "Every second spent struggling with something useless is a second lost."
A faint smile played on her lips. "Efficient."
Vergil didn't respond. He stood. "Get some rest. We'll deal with this tomorrow."
Eleanor leaned back in her chair, watching him. "Fine, fine. I suppose I've got little choice."
He turned to go—but paused.
"We're sharing a room."
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, amusement lighting her face. "Oh? Didn't peg you for the type to suggest that."
"It's cheaper," he replied coldly.
She smirked. "Sure it is."
He didn't bother justifying it further. "Be ready in the morning." Without waiting for her response, he headed upstairs.
Eleanor watched him go, shaking her head. "Cold as ever," she murmured, then looked down at her neglected meal.
But just as Vergil reached the stairs, she called out lightly, "We're sharing a room, huh?"
She leaned back, tapping her fingers on the table. "Are we sharing the bed too?"
Without hesitation, Vergil glanced over his shoulder.
"Yes."
Eleanor blinked. A beat of silence—then she laughed softly, shaking her head. "Well, that's forward of you."
"It's just a bed," he said flatly. "Get some sleep. We leave early."
With that, he turned and disappeared upstairs.
Eleanor stared after him, still smirking. "Just a bed, huh?" she muttered before finally finishing her meal.
Absolutely! Here is your polished scene with refined phrasing, slightly varied system messages, and improved emotional flow while staying true to your tone and intent:
Vergil entered the room and immediately turned his attention to his newly acquired skills.
"I've got sword-related skills now. I should put them to use once I get a blade. And there are still plenty of other skills I can combine."
With that thought, he activated Combination.
A massive blue panel appeared before him.
"Which skills would you like to combine?"
"Combine Basic Sword Mastery and Basic Bow Mastery."
[Recognized compatible skills...]
[Synthesizing traits...]
[Combination successful.]
New Combined Skill: Basic Sword-Bow Mastery (F+)
Grants fundamental proficiency with both swords and bows, allowing for smoother transitions between melee and ranged combat.
Slightly improves weapon handling, attack speed, and accuracy with both weapon types.
Reduces the chance of fumbling or improper stance when switching between close and ranged engagements.
Does not grant special techniques but facilitates learning advanced skills for either weapon.
Ideal for hybrid fighters, rangers, and adaptive combatants.
Vergil nodded, satisfied.
"Next… combine Lesser Pack Leader and Pack Instincts."
[Overlapping leadership traits detected...]
[Merging behavior patterns...]
[Combination successful.]
New Combined Skill: Pack Commander (F+)
Enhances the user's ability to lead and coordinate small groups of allied creatures.
Strengthens instinctual teamwork, enabling quicker reactions to allies' movements during combat.
Nearby allies gain a minor boost to morale and cohesion, making coordinated attacks more effective.
Vergil's gaze remained fixed on the screen.
"Now, combine Dim Vision, Night Hunter, and Night Prowler."
[Tri-trait fusion in progress...]
[Analyzing shared affinities...]
[Combination successful.]
New Combined Skill: Nocturnal Stalker (E)
Improves low-light vision, enhancing clarity in dim environments—though still weaker than true Dark Vision.
Boosts stealth and mobility at night, aiding in silent movement and shadow blending.
Heightens awareness and tracking in darkness, useful for detecting prey or lurking threats.
Slightly enhances reaction time and agility in dark or shadowed areas.
Favored by rogues, assassins, beasts, and night hunters.
"Next—combine Guard Strike and Quick Parry."
[Combat response techniques detected...]
[ Streamlining counter mechanics...]
[ Combination successful.]
New Combined Skill: Swift Counter (F+)
Enables the user to quickly parry an incoming blow and immediately retaliate.
Slightly enhances reaction speed and weapon control during deflections.
Most effective with light to medium melee weapons; less effective against heavy or magical attacks.
Ideal for duelists, reactive fighters, and agile warriors who rely on precision reflexes.
Vergil exhaled lightly. He was nearly done.
"Finally, combine Venomous Bite and Ravenous Bite."
[Biological enhancements aligned...]
[Predatory traits merging...]
[ Combination successful.]
New Combined Skill: Voracious Fang (E)
A savage, feral bite that delivers both brutal physical damage and venomous effects.
The venom causes lingering pain, numbness, or mild paralysis depending on the target's resistance.
Once latched on, the ferocity of the bite makes it hard for prey to escape.
Ideal for predatory beasts, venomous creatures, or savage fighters who fight with tooth and claw.
Vergil closed the skill menu, feeling a quiet sense of progress.
"That should do for now. I need to switch to a sword soon with these new skills... but for the time being, I'll keep using the dagger. I should get some rest."
He lay down on the bed, exhaustion pulling at him. His body relaxed, and his mind slowly slipped into darkness.
A few minutes later, Eleanor entered the room.
She moved quietly, her footsteps light. Approaching the bed, she paused, then slipped beneath the covers beside him.
Her eyes lingered on his face, studying him in the dim glow of the room.
In sleep, Vergil looked even more unremarkable—his features soft, his presence faded, as if he could vanish into the sheets at any moment. And yet… there was something about him that caught her attention.
Her fingers twitched faintly, tempted to brush aside the dark strands of hair falling over his brow. Instead, she remained still, gaze unreadable.
"He blends in so easily... but there's more to him than he lets on."
She closed her eyes, but sleep didn't come easily. There was a quiet tension between them—unspoken and undefined. Not quite friendship. Not quite anything else. Just a lingering awareness.
Vergil stirred faintly in his sleep, a subtle furrow forming between his brows, as if burdened by some distant thought.
Eleanor exhaled softly, turning onto her side to face away from him.
"Whatever it is… he'll have to face it soon."
And with that, she allowed herself to drift into uneasy sleep, the silence of the night wrapping around them both like a shroud.
Outside the window, the wind stirred—quiet, uncertain—whispering of things yet to come.
--------
As the morning light filtered into the room, Eleanor stirred first, blinking sleep from her eyes. She stretched lazily, savoring the lingering warmth of the bed before turning her head slightly.
To her mild surprise, Vergil was still asleep. His breathing was slow and steady, his expression unusually peaceful.
A small smirk tugged at her lips.
"He really does look defenseless like this. Almost like a lost lamb."
She let out a quiet chuckle, then gave him a gentle nudge on the shoulder. "Hey. Wake up."
Vergil's eyelids fluttered. He exhaled softly, brown eyes opening as he blinked up at the ceiling. Slowly, he turned his head toward her.
"…Morning," he murmured, voice still thick with sleep.
Eleanor sat up, arms stretching above her head with a catlike grace. "Morning, sleepyhead. You're lucky I didn't draw on your face while you were out."
Vergil blinked at her, then sighed. "I'd say 'you wouldn't do that,' but honestly… I'm not sure."
She laughed. "Smart boy."
Standing up, she rolled out her shoulders and glanced back over her shoulder. "You don't move much in your sleep. Makes you easy to share a bed with."
Vergil sat up with a groan, rubbing his face. "Probably because I'm too tired to toss and turn."
"Well, come on then," Eleanor said brightly. "Time to get moving. Maybe today will actually be exciting."
Vergil nodded with a resigned sigh. "Let's eat, then head to Elvira's. And please—leave the talking to me."
Eleanor raised a brow, amused. "Whatever you say."
Something's got her in a good mood, Vergil thought, watching her bounce toward the stairs.
After a quick breakfast together, the two set out and made their way to Elvira's home.
---
Vergil knocked three times on the wooden door.
A pause—then the door creaked open.
"It's been some time, young lad," Elvira said, arching a brow. "I thought you'd died, being gone for two days."
"Don't worry," Vergil replied with a small smile. "I don't die that easily."
Elvira smirked. "Well, come in then. I assume you're here for advice."
As they stepped inside, the scent of parchment, dried herbs, and residual mana washed over them. The space was dense but deliberate—bookshelves crammed with ancient tomes, scrolls piled on a broad oak table, and faint arcane runes glowing faintly along the floor and furniture.
Eleanor glanced around, quietly taking in the details. Her gaze lingered on a glowing diagram etched into the far wall, but her expression remained composed.
Elvira closed the door behind them and eyed Eleanor with mild curiosity. "First time here, I assume. Yet you don't seem particularly surprised."
Eleanor offered a small smirk. "Vergil wouldn't bring me anywhere useless."
Elvira chuckled. "Fair enough." Her eyes turned to Vergil. "So, what brings you two here?"
"I want you to teach me magic," Vergil said. "Both of us."
Elvira raised an eyebrow but didn't look shocked. Instead, she leaned back against her chair, arms folded. "And what makes you think I'm the right person for that?"
Vergil's eyes flicked briefly toward the shelves.
"Your top shelf has the oldest tomes, but they're not history books. They're training manuals—mana circulation, spell theory, and some focused on battlecasting. The most worn ones are about advanced control. You hide the mana flow guides behind herb jars—probably because those are the ones you reference often."
Eleanor glanced at him sideways. "You really do pay attention to everything, don't you?"
Elvira regarded him for a long moment, then let out a low laugh. "Sharp eyes, I'll give you that. No point in hiding it now."
She stepped forward, her posture subtly shifting.
"I'm Elvira Vayne. Former Vice Principal of Vaeloria Academy."
Vergil took the news in stride. Eleanor, ever composed, nodded in approval. "That explains the way you carry yourself."
Elvira raised a brow. "No shock? No awe?"
Eleanor shrugged. "You don't seem like someone who spent her life in a quiet village."
Elvira chuckled. "I like this one." Then she turned serious, eyes back on Vergil. "Why do you want to learn magic?"
Vergil's fists clenched slightly at his sides.
"Because I refuse to stay weak in this cruel world," he said, voice firm. "I don't want to just survive—I want to carve my own path. Magic is one of the ways to do it."
Elvira watched him for a beat before turning to Eleanor.
"And you?"
Eleanor's smile curled. "Magic is strong. I like strong things."
Elvira barked a short laugh, shaking her head. "You two are a pair, alright." Her tone sobered again. "But listen closely—magic isn't just power. It's control. Discipline. Understanding. If you're looking for shortcuts, you won't find them here."
Vergil met her gaze, unwavering. "I'm not looking for shortcuts. Just a teacher."
A pause—then Elvira let out a slow breath.
"…Alright. I'll teach you both. But don't expect me to go easy on you."
Vergil's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Wouldn't want you to."
Elvira grinned. "Good. Then let's begin."
Elvira tapped the wooden table, her sharp gaze settling on the two before her. "Mana exists everywhere, flowing through the world just like air. But not everyone can use it. Only those born with a Mana
can sense and control it. That includes both of you."
Vergil and Eleanor listened attentively.
"A mage's strength depends on three things: their Mana Heart, their affinities, and their mana efficiency. The Mana Heart serves as the core of their magic, affinities determine what elements they can use, and efficiency decides how much mana is wasted during spellcasting."
She crossed her arms. "Before we go deeper, let's determine your affinities."
Elvira retrieved two transparent crystals from a wooden box and placed them before them. "Touch the crystal and focus. It will reveal what elements resonate with you."
Eleanor went first. As she placed her hand on the crystal, it glowed with vibrant green, deep blue, and crackling yellow—Nature, Water, and Lightning.
Elvira nodded approvingly. "Nature magic allows for plant manipulation and healing, water is versatile and adaptive, and lightning is among the fastest and most destructive elements. A powerful mix."
Then came Vergil. He placed his hand on the crystal, and immediately, three distinct colors surged forth—brilliant red, icy blue, and a faint, shifting silver.
Elvira's expression shifted. "Fire, Ice, and… something unknown."
The silver glow flickered erratically, neither fully forming nor disappearing. A strange, lingering presence.
Vergil frowned. "You don't recognize it?"
Elvira exhaled slowly, tapping the table. "Not much is known about it."
Vergil narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Elvira hesitated before answering. "In rare cases, mages have exhibited affinities that arent known. This one is quite mysterious, to us. The records in the grand libary states that it's magic that interacts with the very essence of life itself, the soul. When mages form their 5th circle, the core merges with their soul strengthening and protecting it but nothing more."
"However, cultivators are able to use their soul to do... let's say extraordinary things when they reach a certain level."
She studied him closely. "I dont speicalise in the soul, but you should find yourself a mentor when the time comes."
Vergil clenched his fist. 'Not bad body, atleast you make up for it in being special'.
[More like special needs]
Shut up
System Notification: You have awakened Ice Affinity (A), Fire Affinity (B), and Soul Affinity (S).
'They are ranked differently'
[Of course, some are rarer than others, they allow you to be able to use the specified affintiies type of magic. You cant use other Affinity type magic unless you acquire it]
[Oh, just for your information, even if you get multiple of the same Affinity, nothing will happen , but you can combine different ones to form new type of affinites depending on their compatibility or turn them into evolution points]
'Not bad, ill check the descriptions of them later, especially the soul' Vergil thought
Elvira set the crystal aside. "With that settled, let's move on to the next step—forming your First Circle."
Elvira waved her hand, drawing a simple circular diagram in the air with mana. "Magic is structured in eight Circles, with the First Circle being the foundation. Advancing through the Circles increases your power, but forming the First Circle is the hardest step."
She pointed at the diagram. "The Circles represent the refinement of your Mana Heart. Every mage must shape their mana into a stable ring within their core. This allows you to use magic properly instead of just manipulating raw mana inefficiently."
Vergil leaned forward. "How do we form our First Circle?"
Elvira smirked. "Through training, meditation, and breathing techniques. And considering your affinities, your paths will be different."
She crossed her arms. "Now, tell me—what type of Mana Heart have you formed?"
Eleanor spoke first. "A Crystallized Core."
Elvira nodded. "A strong choice. Crystallized Cores are stable and refined, perfect for mages who focus on spellcasting."
She then turned to Vergil. "And you?"
Vergil hesitated before answering. "A Pulsing Core."
Elvira's eyes sharpened. "A rare one. Pulsing Cores have high mana regeneration and adaptability, but they can be unstable. If you master it, your magic will flow effortlessly—but if you lose control, it will overwhelm you."
Vergil absorbed the information carefully. His core suited him—unpredictable, ever-changing, and powerful if controlled properly.
Elvira then asked, "Now, what's the highest mana efficiency you've reached?"
Eleanor answered smoothly. "65%."
Elvira nodded. "That's excellent. Most trained mages are between 50-70%."
She turned to Vergil. "And you?"
Vergil paused. Should he reveal it?
…Hiding it would change nothing.
"100%."
Silence.
Elvira's eyes narrowed. '100%? The highest recorded was 75%—and that belongs to the current genius of the Mage Kingdom, who will be attending in two months. You're telling me you've surpassed that?'
Vergil nodded. "I've never experienced waste. Every bit of mana I circulate moves exactly how I want it to."
Elvira exhaled slowly. "That's… beyond anything I've seen. If true, you're either incredibly lucky—or something far more dangerous."
She smirked. "Then let's see if you can back it up. Training begins now."
Absolutely — here's your polished final part of Chapter 10, with improved grammar, flow, emotional clarity, and dialogue formatting. I've preserved your tone, humor, and pacing while elevating the prose.
Elvira led them to a quiet clearing behind the village. The night air was still, the sky casting a faint, silvery glow over the open space. Out here, far from distractions, the world's energy felt almost tangible—pulsing, waiting.
"Sit. Close your eyes. Focus inward," she instructed.
Vergil and Eleanor obeyed, settling into a meditative stance.
Elvira's voice was firm but patient. "Your Mana Heart is a vessel, but right now, it's formless. The First Circle is your foundation—it refines and stabilizes your mana for controlled casting. Without it, you're just wielding raw energy inefficiently."
She turned to Eleanor first. "You've already formed your circle. Just gather mana from the surrounding area. Deepen it."
Eleanor nodded, already drawing her mana inward with practiced grace.
Then Elvira looked to Vergil. "Yours is different. A Pulsing Core thrives on movement—it's volatile by nature. If you try to force it, it will spiral out of control. You need to guide its rhythm, not suppress it."
Vergil exhaled, feeling the restless energy within him. His mana surged in unstable waves—never still, always shifting. He tried guiding it into a circular flow around his Mana Heart.
For a moment, the flow stabilized. A ring began to form.
Then—crack.
A sharp pulse burst from within his core, shattering the formation. His mana surged outward violently. His body tensed.
[System Notice: Instability Detected.]
A cold sensation washed over him as the system's mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[Pulsing Core Detected: Attempting First Circle Formation.]
[Warning: Pulsing Cores require controlled rhythm. Current flow unstable.]
Vergil gave a dry smile. "Nice of you to finally care."
He gritted his teeth. His mana wasn't resisting—it was overreacting.
[Recommendation: Do not force stability. Guide the flow. Synchronize with the pulse instead of suppressing it.]
"Got it."
He steadied his breath. Instead of constraining the energy, he let it move—redirecting rather than resisting.
The change was immediate. The wild pulses slowed, falling into a rhythm.
Elvira's eyes narrowed. "Good. You're adjusting. Keep going."
Eleanor glanced over briefly. "You really don't hesitate, do you?"
Vergil smirked but stayed focused. The flow steadied further. A faint ring of mana took shape inside him.
Then—a final snap. A shift.
The instability vanished.
The First Circle was formed.
[Magic Power has increased by 5.]
Elvira gave him a long, scrutinizing look before nodding. "Not bad. But this is just the beginning."
She turned to Eleanor. "Your turn."
Eleanor's circle had also formed, glowing faintly beneath her skin.
"To form the next Circle, you'll need a lot of Astralyth crystals—harvested from E-rank monsters. Even prodigies without proper resources take a month or two to refine them."
She glanced up at the sky. "It's already night. You've been here since noon. Head back. Rest. Come again another time, and I'll begin teaching you some basic spells."
Vergil's stomach growled.
[Fatass.]
"Shut it. But thanks for the assist."
[Anytime.]
As the cool evening air settled around them, Vergil and Eleanor stood at the doorway of Elvira's home, preparing to leave. Before stepping out, Vergil turned back, gaze sharp.
"Elvira. How do I compare to the students at the academy?"
She leaned back, regarding him for a moment. "Potential-wise? You could stand among the best. But actual strength?"
She scoffed. "You'd be dead in seconds."
Vergil frowned. "How strong are they?"
"They don't use the adventurer ranking system. That's just for dealing with low-tier monsters. Adventurers only go up to C-class—barely able to handle a Tier 1 beast with a solid party. The academy, though? They operate on the same system as the Tears—Tier 0 through Tier 7."
She smirked, eyes gleaming. "And this year, that monster is attending."
Vergil's mind raced. A den of monsters. A place where only the strong survived.
Exactly where he needed to be.
"Elvira," he said. "Can you recommend us to the academy? Eleanor and me?"
Eleanor blinked. "Vergil... you seriously want to go? Knowing you'd be completely outclassed?"
"I need to," he said simply.
Elvira raised a brow. Then sighed.
"Fine. Prove your worth in a month, and I'll send both of you."
Vergil straightened. Eleanor tensed beside him.
"What do we need to prove?" he asked.
"Refine your First Circle completely. Sharpen your combat skills. Show me you can survive in a place where power rules everything."
Her tone darkened. "Because if you go as you are now… you won't last a single day."
Vergil didn't flinch. A slow grin spread across his face.
Perfect.
Eleanor shook her head. "You're really doing this, huh?"
Vergil turned to her, eyes burning. "I will prove myself."
Elvira chuckled. "Then train hard. Because if you fail in a month, you're staying right here."
As they stepped out into the night, a soft wind stirred. The path ahead was clear. Now, they had to walk it.
Before leaving completely, Eleanor paused and turned back.
"…Do you have something I could borrow for the night?"
Elvira smirked knowingly and tossed her a soft nightgown. "Try not to get too comfortable, girl. You'll be back here training before you know it."
Eleanor rolled her eyes but muttered a thanks before following Vergil.
---
By the time they returned to the inn, the sky had darkened entirely. After a quiet dinner, they made their way to their shared room, exhaustion settling in.
Vergil sat on the bed, lost in thought.
'I wonder what would happen if I combined affinities… but that's for later. First, I need all four basics. Right now, I only have one.'
His gaze drifted to the dagger on the table.
'The range is too short. Damage is lacking. Tomorrow, I'll switch to a sword... maybe even a shield.'
The door creaked.
Eleanor stepped out from the shower, steam curling around her. Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, and Elvira's borrowed nightgown draped loosely over her frame.
Vergil glanced once, then respectfully looked away.
"You going to sleep, Vergil?" she asked, toweling her hair dry.
"Yeah."
She climbed into the opposite side of the bed, adjusting the blanket. A moment passed in silence.
"…I never asked," she said quietly. "But what's your real goal?"
Vergil didn't move for a moment. Then, with calm certainty, he replied:
"To make the world mine."
Eleanor blinked, surprised by the conviction in his voice. Then, she gave a short laugh.
"The whole world? That's... ambitious."
"I don't care if it sounds impossible," he said. "I'll do it. And I'll crush anyone who tries to stop me."
She studied him. The fire in his eyes was real—undeniable.
"...You're crazy, you know that?" she said softly.
Vergil smirked. "Only the mad can change the world."
Eleanor let out a breath. A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Then I guess I'll have to stick around and see how far that madness takes you."
Vergil closed his eyes, a quiet chuckle escaping him.